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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a photocopy of a letter by Rolex Geneva dated 6 July 1989, addressed to the owner of the present watch when returning it to him. The author praises amongst others the very good condition and the rarity of the watch which in addition still retains the original crown, a truly rare feature. He also regrets the impossibility of having the watch restored at Rolex but suggests that the owner should either keep it in a showcase or offer it "to an auction house such as Christie's who are selling such watches at prices that never fail to astonish us".
The present watch is a fine and early example of Rolex's celebrated "Oyster" model, the world's first waterproof and airtight wristwatch launched in 1926. It marked the first of many record-setting marketing events when in 1927 Mercedes Gleitze swam the English Channel in the record time of 15 hours and 15 minutes, wearing a Rolex watch. When she emerged, the watch had kept perfect time.
Both the waterproof case system and the twinlock and triplock screw-down crown were consequently patented by Rolex and are still today amongst the firm's most famous trademark.
The present watch is a fine and early example of Rolex's celebrated "Oyster" model, the world's first waterproof and airtight wristwatch launched in 1926. It marked the first of many record-setting marketing events when in 1927 Mercedes Gleitze swam the English Channel in the record time of 15 hours and 15 minutes, wearing a Rolex watch. When she emerged, the watch had kept perfect time.
Both the waterproof case system and the twinlock and triplock screw-down crown were consequently patented by Rolex and are still today amongst the firm's most famous trademark.